Abp. Aymond to Young Church: Resolve to become a lifelong learner this New Year!

Dear Young Church:

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2023!

It is hard to believe that a semester of this school year is already completed. I hope that you did well on your report card and continue to commit yourself to the great gift of education.

As we draw close to Catholic Schools Week, I thank you for the many ways in which you commit yourself to education.

As you know, education in our Catholic schools is twofold:

• First of all, it is to help you to learn all that you need now and in the future.

• It is also an opportunity for you to be formed in faith so that you come to know Jesus in a personal way.

Please do not take for granted your parents’ sacrifices and love for you as they provide you with a Catholic education. Be sure to thank them for their love and care.

May I also suggest that you thank your specific teachers and your principal for the way in which they show God’s love to you through your Catholic school.

In the Scriptures, God tells us that wisdom is very important, and he talks about wisdom in general. Jesus specifically talks about being his disciple, being a wise disciple and making good choices.

May I suggest as we celebrate this Catholic Schools Week – and as we begin this New Year – that you look back on the last year and see the ways in which you have grown in faith and in wisdom. Thank God for that growth. Doing this would also be an opportunity to make a New Year’s resolution to recommit yourself to the great gift of education.

I must say, the older I get, the more I realize that I need to keep learning. I hope you will come to realize at an early age – right now – and as you grow older. We are never too old to learn and we learn from others; we learn from the love of God; we learn from our parents and teachers as they teach us how to live and to love and to forgive.

Happy New Year!
 
Wishing you God’s blessings, I am your brother in Christ,

Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans